Current Student-Athletes

NCAA Drug Testing

The NCAA randomly tests student-athletes for banned substances. If you have tested positive for an NCAA banned substance, you will lose your eligibility for a minimum of 1 year. This means you cannot participate in athletic activities at an NCAA institution during the post-season for a minimum of one calendar year following the positive drug test. You will also lose your eligibility during that time.

It is important to know that combinations of some of the supplements found in smoothies or other workout drinks can combine into substances on the NCAA banned drugs list!

NCAA Gambling Statement And Policy

Don't Bet On It

Do you remember signing the student-athlete statement at the beginning of your career as a student-athlete? Well, it says that "You affirm that you meet the NCAA regulations regarding eligibility, recruitment, financial aid, amateur status and involvement in organized gambling. In other words, it's against the rules!!!! (NCAA Bylaw 10.3)

See www.ncaa.org

There are good reasons for this rule. Gambling adversely affects the integrity of sporting competitions. Gambling is also directly related to a several other illegal activities such as the sale of narcotics and loan sharking.

Eligibility

The NCAA says you have 5 years (or 10 semesters) to remain eligible for competition (NCAA Bylaw 14.2). See www.ncaa.org

The NCAA also says that you must remain in good academic standing and be enrolled in at least full-time course hours (NCAA Bylaw 14.01.2). See www.ncaa.org

Extra Benefits

Extra benefits are any special arrangements offered to a student-athlete that is not authorized by the NCAA legislation. Here are some examples of extra benefits:

• A loan or gift of money
• A guarantee of bond
• The use of an automobile
• Signing or co-signing of a loan
• Items at reduced costs offered

(NCAA Bylaws 16.02.3 & 16.12.2.3) See www.ncaa.org

If something is offered to a student-athletes that is not made readily available to non-student-athletes, this is an extra benefit.

Amateurism

To ensure an equitable playing field for all student-athletes, the NCAA says that professional athletes may not compete in collegiate competition. This means that you are ineligible to play once you lose "amateur status". A student-athlete loses his/her amateur status the minute the individual:

• negotiates, signs or enters into any written or oral agreement with an agent.
• accepts or receives any extra benefits (including family members) from an agent or anyone who wishes to represent the student-athlete.
• uses their athletic skills for pay, or promise of pay.
• competes with a professional sports team or receives any compensation from a professional sports team.
• receives an extra benefit that is not available to the general student population.

An extra benefit can include, but is not limited to: Transportation, meals, clothes, entertainment, preferential loan terms, and cash.

(NCAA Bylaws 12.1, 12.2 & 12.3) See www.ncaa.org

Employment Of Student-Athletes

Before the student-athlete is allowed to work, a written statement must be signed by the employer, student-athlete, and the Compliance Office stating:

• Compensation may not include any value the student-athlete has to the employer due to the student-athlete's fame or reputation.
• The student-athlete will be paid only for work actually performed.
• The student-athlete will be paid at a fair market value equal to that for other similar positions in the immediate area of employment.

(NCAA Bylaws 15.2.6) See www.ncaa.org